Pretty TGirls Magazine
Pretty TGirls Magazine is a production of the Pretty TGirls Grou p and is intended as a free resource for the Transgendered commu nity. Articles and advertisements may be submitted for consideration t o the editor, Rachel Williston, Will iston, rachelwilliston@y ahoo.com Willist on, at
[email protected] rachelwilliston@yaho o.com . It is our hope that our magazine will increase the understanding of the TG world TG world and better acceptance of TGirls TGirls in our society. To that tth hat at end, end, any articles are appreciated and welcomed for review !
Question: When Question: When did you first start crossdressing? Heidi: I Heidi: I remember my older sisters dressing me up when I was maybe four. I liked it and would sometimes dress my action figures in my sister s Barbies dresses to be funny . funny . Probably around age 8 I would lock myself in the bathroom and try on things left there after baths. Question: At Question: At what age did you start using make-up and wearing wigs? How did you learn how to apply make up? Any tips for other TGirls? Brand of make up you use? Heidi: I Heidi: I started playing with my mom s makeup when I was about 15 faking sick so I could stay home from school all alone. I didn t didn t really get my own or start to learn much about how to do it right until after I was married. My wife got me a book my Kevin Aucoin called Making Faces that has a lot of good makeup techniques.
Question: If Question: If you had your choice, what do like like wearing the the most when being a girl? Heidi: I usually usually go for classy and very feminine dresses and skirts, cocktail dresses, miniskirts, etc. but lately I ve been trying to dress more mainstream and casual. Question: Now Question: Now a bit of personal information ... What is your marital status? A sensitive area for some girls, but ... how old are you now? Does anyone know you are a TGirl? What country do you live in? Heidi: Married; Heidi: Married; 39; only my wife knows now but I was caught a couple times when I was younger and able to talk my way out of it.
Question: Do Question: Do you have a website and/or email you d like to share with us? Heidi: I am I am most active at my flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15418706 @N03/
Question: Have Question: Have you ever gone out as a girl? If so, tell us what the first time is like and how you feel being out in the world as a girl. Heidi: I Heidi: I ve only been out in public in a very limited basis. The first time was pretty late at night, I drove thru the McDonalds drive-thru and although the cashier girls were very professional (with a little smirking) there was a kid mopping near the window who kept craning his neck to get a better look so I knew the had seen me coming. I got a little flustered but not enough to pack it in. I drove over and parked in the Walmart parking lot and got half way up to the door when some people exited and started walking toward me. Despite the fact that I was loving hearing my heels clicking on the pavement, I lost my nerve and walked back to the car. As I was pulling out of the parking lot I had to wait for several young men to cross in front of me. A couple gave me a glance but didn t act unusual so that made me feel a little better. The only other couple of times that I ve been out have been very discreet to snap a few quick pictures. I did walk through a closed outdoor mall after closing one night and had to avoid some security guards. That was about as far as I ve gotten so far.
Question: Have Question: Have you ever gone through a purge of your female clothing? If so, can you tell us why? How did it make you feel? How long before you went back to being a girl? Heidi: I ve purged many times. Always I had sworn off and was hopeful I could go a long time without dressing and the desire would fade away. I don t think it ever lasted a year.
Question: What Question: What percentage of time do you spend as a girl? Heidi: I only dress a few times a year so the percentage would be less that 1. Question: Have Question: Have you ever considered moving towards becoming more of a girl physically with options like hormones, feminisation surgery, breast enhancements, or SRS? Heidi: Fantasized about it but never seriously. s eriously.
Question: Do Question: Do you feel more like a boy or a girl now and why? Heidi: Boy. Almost Almost always. always. Crossdres Crossdressing sing for me is more more of a fun hobby hobby.. A temporary temporary escape from the world. Question: Have Question: Have you ever dated or wanted to date another TGirl or a man? Heidi: no Heidi: no
Question: Do Question: Do you have any advice for other TGirls, especially ones that have yet to venture out as a girl? Heidi: Do what you are comfortable with. Don t let anyone pressure you into doing something. Crossdressing serves a different purpose for everyone any. Also, keep in mind the big picture and don t don t endanger something that s more important for a quick thrill.
Question: How Question: How is your life now as a TGirl? What's gone well and not so well? Heidi: After Heidi: After some rocky times regarding this topic with my wife we ve found a balance that we are both comfortable with. I think I tried to push it too far too fast when she started to become more accepting but now we have fun browsing the ladies sections together.
Personal Website : http://rachelwilliston.com
Hi Amy and Nan, Just over 17 months ago I finally decided to face my desire to dress head on and see just just what was driving driving me to to do it. it. I initially thought that that I was was just a simple crossdresser crossdresser but through experience, experience, help from others, resources resources like PTG Magazine and finally through the guidance of my therapist Dr Sandra Samons, I have come to realize that I am in fact a transsexual woman and my desire is nothing more than trying to express on the outside who I am on the inside. Having finally accepted who I am and having that fact confirmed by others, I came to the conclusion that I just could not keep Lorraine in the closet any longer and, just just over a month ago, ago, I came out to to my wife. Needless Needless to say she was totally devasta devastated. ted. We have been been married over 42 years years and now now at age 63 (she is 65), I'm asking her to completely completely change change her perspective perspective of who I am and try and accept the real me. I feel so blessed as she, with the help of her own therapist (who thankfully has had some experience with transgenders), is trying very hard to make our new relationship relationship work. I'm trying to help her relate what what she knows knows of me to my female person and I've tried to show her how much more attentive, forgiving, thoughtful and loving I've become towards her as I have been able to release my true personality.
With her blessing I have installed a wardrobe in the basement (with a lock on the door) and this week moved my things into into it. I've been looking looking for any any sign of of discomfort discomfort but so far, so good. good. She has surprised surprised me as she she has actually actually "outed" me to a couple of her friends and they have been accepting so far, advising her her that "things could could be worse". worse". One of her friends, friends, a former neighbor, neighbor, saw my picture and she thinks I'm beautiful! So far one of the problems we seem to be having revolves around my going out. I eventually eventually hope to attend attend a weekly trans trans support support group which is mainly mainly a therapy type group and also attend a social group meeting on a monthly basis. We have discussed discussed it and and she appears appears to be all for for it but I've been holding holding off as I'm afraid that she might be doing this just because she wants to please me and make me happy rather than from a position of acceptance. I know that communication is the key to success and we actually have become closer together (and more intimate) with my coming out to her. How can I keep moving forward (even at the snail's pace advocated by our therapists) therapists) and be sure sure that I'm not leaving leaving my wife too far behind? Are there any any activities or particular discussions we can have to help pave the way? Is there a point where a wife can become become totally accepting accepting or am I destined to always be "the other woman" in our marriage? I (we) would appreciate any help and advice you can give, especially from your own experience. Thanks, Lorraine
Hi Loraine, Self-acceptance is possibly our greatest accomplishment. Many, if not most, of us start our journey not knowing what we are or where we are heading. We begin by cross-dressing and over a period of years evolve to a point on the gender continuum where we are comfortable. Congratulations Congratulati ons on opening up to your spouse. That is not an easy thing, but it is an important step, one of many toward being able to express your true self. It sounds like you have made great beginnings. The fact that your wife has discussed this with friends speaks volumes about her comfort level. And yes you are very blessed to have such a loving and accepting spouse. To have any hope of a successful transition in a relationship, you have to keep in mind that it is not just you that is in transition. It is also your spouse and your relationship. Moving at a pace your spouse is comfortable with is critical. If you move too fast she will feel threatened. Remember, you have turned her world upside down and the life she had come to feel comfortable, secure, and stable in now feels unstable and unsure. The most important piece of advice I can give you is, be completely open and honest. Hide nothing from her and discuss everything. It is very common for a spouse to feel hurt because we concealed this from them. If we have concealed this, what else might we have concealed? Can we be trusted? You will need to rebuild that trust and and believe me, that open open honest relationship relationship will give you a real feeling of serenity and inner peace. Until your spouse spouse is comfortable, comfortable, a support support group group can be good good or bad. If you can find a group with couples so your spouse has her own peer group that she can talk with that can be good. If possible, find another couple in transition you can spend time with.
As far as going out, again, take it slow and keep your spouse involved. Try the social group a couple of times. When the time is right to move beyond that environment, you will know it. I can t speak for your spouse, but yes, a spouse can be totally accepting. Nan and I have been deeply in love for 27 years, and we only get closer each day. In our marriage, I am not the other woman ; I am the woman in her life. Nan would be happy to correspond with your spouse if she would like someone to talk to that has been there . Best of luck, Amy and Nan
(answers at the end of this issue … don’t peek first!)
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(Photos of how we looked when first dressing as a girl and how we look today) Then
Today
Then
Today
We are always looking for photo’s of our members from when they first started dressing and now. Please post them in the group. We would love to put them in our magazine.
http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/transgender_transsexual.html
If in fact being transgender is a biological trait, like having blue eyes or blond hair, does that relieve us of this heavy load? What if it came to light that you really weren ’ t a woman in spirit? That none of this transgender life is about “ being being” a woman in a man’ s body, but rather just thinking you were? And what if that thought (of being and feeling female) was biologically “ hard hard wired” into your brain? How would that make you feel? Are you happy that this can no longer be considered an action of choice, or does it make you sad knowing that “ being being wired biologically” means it is likely something you will never be able to change?
Most of us have spent our entire lives wondering, “ What What’ s wrong with me?” And then after decades decades of purge and repeat behaviour, behaviour, mixing mixing shame, guilt and the need to search our soul for the truth of these internal feelings of self identity, some of us have slowly learned to accept in ourselves that which society often mocks, or worse, condemns. If in fact being transgender is a biological trait, like having blue eyes or blond hair, does that relieve us of this heavy load?
Transsexuals, prior to Gender Re-assignment Surgery (GRS), have often described themselves as woman trapped trapped in the body of a man. And although although I feel the same same way -- and used that explanation explanation as the best best analogy to explain explain what being being transgender felt like -- I still could never reconcile reconcile what that really really meant beyond beyond theory in my own mind. When we say, “ I am a woman,” are we referring to the current essence of our soul? Or perhaps we have the memories from a previous female life existence? Or is our (societies) notion of life and existence simply wrong, and gender expression merely another form of experience as I have previously explored. Abstract thoughts like these fascinate me, and I actively participate in “ what what if ” ” scenarios all the time. But beyond the rhetoric of the conversation, what does any of it mean in the practical sense? I have friends that have transitioned and currently live the fulltime lives of the woman they have become. But were they woman all along? Some say yes, while others say no. Transsexuals (often thought of as those that have graduated transgender camp) are split in two on the issue issue and have drawn a line in the sand. sand. There are are two common positions that have been recited to me repeatedly: 1.Some say that they were transgender woman when they were women living in a man’ s body, but post-op no longer are, suggesting that now they are simply women, no different than any other biological woman, and therefore, no longer trans. 2.Others identify as women, but recognize that the mere fact that they were born into a male body makes them different from a biologically born female.
For the sake of this article let ’ s refer to them both by the acronym “ WODO WODO” (Woman of a different origin).
A biological female has lived her whole life female. Beginning from early childhood she evolved through adolescence into adulthood. Many WODO ’ s on the other hand simply “ become become” woman midstream. Does this make a difference? Some WODO ’ s will argue that they have been women since birth, just trapped in a male body due to a cosmic mistake. Did being predominately male (even if they were just pretending and playing the part) have an impact on the woman they are to become? Another position by some WODO ’ s is that they can never really be 100% woman (even though they have an almost exact replica of a female body to accompany their female mind and spirit), because they didn ’ t have the life experience of a woman. They certainly are no longer male and therefore, therefore, by default, default, are transsexual transsexual women. It has been theorized for some time that being transgender and/or homosexual, is something you are born with, not something something you learn, learn, or acquire a taste for (no pun intended.) Recently, scientific reports are emerging that support these theories, linking transsexualism to biological conditions that occur during the “ hormone hormone spray,” in the womb. In 1995 Dutch researchers discovered that a structural difference existed within the brains of men and (M>F) transsexuals. transsexuals. A small cluster cluster of cells in the brain -- the bed nucleus nucleus of the stria terminali terminalis s (BST) – is smaller in transsexuals (as it is in women) than in men.
Researchers also announced links between certain genes and sexual orientation, which it says is also hard wired into the brain. Perhaps with the advances of medical sciences, we will come to know for sure the reason for our actions. So in the future when people say, “ How How come you are transgender, we can simply say, “ Because Because I was just born that way.” As always, be happy, be safe, and think pretty. About the w riter: Brianna Austin is co-author of "I'd Do It Again," a free lance writer, and publisher of TG Life
Ok, you’re a TGirl and you want to go out as a girl and be part of the community. Here is a listing of some of the conferences and getaways available that are designed for TGirls! We take no responsibility regarding the places listed, but they are or have been known to be designed for and accepting of TGirls.
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Ok, you’re a TGirl and you want to go out as a girl and be part of the community. Here is a listing of some of the conferences and getaways available that are designed for TGirls! We take no responsibility regarding the places listed, but they are or have been known to be designed for and accepting of TGirls.
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Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
E l l l e
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
http://stores.ebay.com/enfemme-boutique?refid=store
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
http://Glamourboutique.com is a terrific TG store. The original retail location is in Aubu rn, MA and now has a Las Vegas retail locations! You can also order online. Can ’ ’t say enough about this lovely store! A discount is available to Pretty TGirls members and to v isitors of my personal website!
http://Crazy4clipons.com is a terrific online place to discreetly buy clip on earrings a t a very reasonable price. They have a large variety to choose from and love to have TG cus tomers! A discount is available to Pretty TGirls members and to visitors of my personal website!
http://www.FemmeFever.com : Karen has developed a wonderful site and TG resource! Along w ith ith coordinating many TG events in the lower NY area, she has a store full of shopping opportunities online.
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
W e're a transgender (GLBT, TG) TG) friendly boutique. Our store is located in Las Vegas, NV, USA, USA, where A my and her staff provide products and personalized services to help you become become "The Person You Alw ays Wanted To Be". The Just Yo u Family have years of experience transforming men into beautiful women.
Amy: Amy w as the manager of GB2 GB2 and is now the own er. She is a GG and a w onderful supporter of TG girls of all varieties. She has a wealth of experience experienc e w ith amateurs and professionals and is a tremendous talent w ith makeup. She is one those those special angels sent to help us. I w ill ask her if she w ould like to w rite an article article for a future magazine. magazine. Sheila: For my part I simply look after her w ebsite as the the w ebmistres ebmistress. s. Perhaps at some time I could also write an article (something I have done from time to time). time). I do w ant to say say that you you have done a w onderful job with the magazine and I look forw ard to reading reading the July issue.
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
Welcome to crazydaizys I carry a large selection of of Sexy Shoes & Boots, Costume Footwear, Lingerie, Hosiery, Hosiery, Leather for for Men & Women, & more! Your 1 stop shop for all your Favorite things!! I have Storewide FREE! combined Shipping! Save @ Crazy Daizys! Dont see what you are looking for? Contact me! I am still in the process of stocking my store. Thank you for your patience!
is a wonderful online shop with 2 physical store locations in Scotland as well. Owned and run by Loraine (a gg) gg) and and also also sponsors sponsors the the Miss Miss TV TV Sc Sc otland pageant every year.
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
I can ’ ’t say enough really terrific things about Jamie. Simply put, he works wonders. Careful though, he has done such a wonderful job that several girls have seen how wonderfully beautiful they can be that they have become full time girls! Jamie offers several different makeover packages … well worth every penny girls !
http://www.austinsangels.com
http://www. countessascloset.com This is a fabulous place for GG ’ ’s and TGirls alike. Countessa is a GG, former model, and a terrific supporter of the Transgendered Community ! There is an online store and a physical location in Studio City, California. More to follow about this great great Lady and her offerings.
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
Advertisements and Opportunities Want to advertise your TG - - friendly store, service, club, group, or your own personal items here? There is NO charge for this … just email the editor
[email protected] .
is a terrific is a very new online TG store carrying many ite ms for us TGirls.It is run by Carol Deanna. It is worth the visit !
You really should checkout Mary Beth’s products. She hand sews everything and has lovely lingerie items and dresses, plus she is a doll and very supportive of us TGirls !